Right now, the answer to this question appears to be a big, resounding Yes! Out of the 16 teams that will compete for the world title in the shortest form of cricket, India’s men in blue are favourites to win. There are several excellent reasons to support the view, no the hope, that India will win the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 scheduled for March and April 2016.
We did it first
India – Winners of the ICC World Twenty20 event in 2007
India won the inaugural the ICC World Twenty20 event in 2007. In other words, our guys showed the world how it is done and can again.
We haven’t won it for a while
The World Twenty20 2016 Trophy
While it’s true that no team has won the title more than once, it is about time that statistic was altered. 9 years is a long time and it is about time history repeated itself.
We have the home advantage
Indian cricket fans
Picture it: The Indian team in the final match at the Wankhede or Eden Gardens against… well against any team, but against Pakistan would be especially special and the roaring support of a hundred thousand highly vocal Indian fans… Enough Said!
We have fire power
India’s batting lineup
It’s our famed batting depth that we have typically pinned our hopes on and not misguidedly either. OK, so we have the tail-enders but hopefully they will not be called upon to perform too often.
We just beat the defending champs
Defending champions Sri Lanka
India has won 5 of its 6 most recent T20 fixtures including a series win against the Australians and defending champions Sri Lanka.
Dhoni says so
M S Dhoni
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni thinks his team is the favourite to win. The man is not given to hyperbole; his assessment is based on personal knowledge, the fact that our spinners will come into their own on our home pitches, the fact that the players’ IPL experience will count for a lot and more!
The bookies say so
India is favourite to win
India ranks No 1 in the T20 format. Bookies and betting sites have also said that India’s chances of winning are higher than any other team. There is a 26% chance that India will win as against a 14% chance of Australia.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
